WHISPER- shadow and bone

Chapter 8

"Got any plans up your sleeve?"

"I mean, Kribirsk isn't the worst", Jesper spoke. "We can open up a bar. Brew East Ravkan beer for the Westerners?"

"Shut up, Jesper", Kaz and Inej spoke through gritted teeth.

"I miss Milo"

"Friends", Arken smiled.

"What are you so cheery about?"

"This is Marko. Marko is the leader of the traveling troupe known as the Pomdrakon Players. They have been invited to perform in this year's winter fete", Arken went on.

"A lifelong dream", Marks spoke with a grin,

"Yes, yes. A chance to get inside the Little Palace. But they lost their star performer due to an unfortunate freak accident. They are in desperate need of someone with the skills to replace their star performer, and as Ketterdam's premier talent manager, I had an idea".

Everyone at the table's eyes turned towards Inej. Rolling her eyes and with a heavy heart, she reluctantly made the decision. She was helping her friends of course.

"As a friend once said, "If I can't crack this, none of us are going anywhere."

Inej seemed to fly through the air, bathed in silk and dancing on a cloud. The girl was light and beautiful with her movements and the audience cheered and clamoured.

"The Saints must have sent you. Yes. The show will go on", Marks smiled graciously at Inej.

"Now. Can you... fit into this?", he spoke bringing over a brightly coloured leotard.

"Um..."

"Of course she can", smirked Jesper. "Those are her colors, but the thing is, Inej... comes as part of a package deal", he spoke with a wink.

"No free rides. What are your talents?"

Jesper kissed his gun and cradled it like it was his own child.

Inej swung on her silks, a card in her mouth. Jesper closed his eyes and pointed the gun backwards, slicing the bullet through the air like it was nothingness, and taking the base of the card off. It was almost like magic.

Inej held up the card, slightly charred from the bullet.

The crowd exclaimed and cheered.

"Just like he taught us Ezra", Jesper whispered to himself grinning at the thought of their father and his strange lessons.

Mario chuckled and hugged Jesper before gesturingto Kaz.

"Stage is yours, sir"

"I'll make my own way", Kaz grumbled.

~~~~

"I think I need an amplifier. Something to boost my strength", Alina spoke.

"You can't light a doorway on your own. What would you amplify?", Baghra asked.

"When Kirigan touched me..."

"General Kirigan can't be your crutch forever. And the use of amplifiers is a barbaric, lazy practice..."

"Then why were they created?", questioned Ada. The pair had been called to Baghra's together.

Baghra shook her head.

"You could try to be encouraging", Alina rolled her eyes.

"I'm not your mother. But I guess you'll always be looking for one of those"

Alina leaped up in fury and Ada gripped her fist tight.

"Do you enjoy making people feel bad?", Ada exclaimed.